Connector



Dec. 22, 1970 E. J. CASTELLANI CONNECTOR Filed Nov. 7, 1968 INVENTOR EDWARD CASTELLANI BY \I.4

LlZ'M- r ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,550,068 CONNECTOR Edward .I. Castellani, South Plainfield, N.J., assignor to Thomas & Betts Corporation, Elizabeth, N.J., a corporation of New Jersey Filed Nov. 7, 1968, Ser. No. 774,085 Int. Cl. H01r 13/12 US. Cl. 339-242 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The disclosure is directed to a connector for use with the contact pins of a multi-pin connector board and which permits one connector to be stacked upon another to permit the utilization of a single contact pin for a plurality of input and output conductor terminations. In a first embodiment of the connector, the conductor body is a formed hollow cylinder flared at a first end to permit the connector body to be placed upon a contact pin or upon a tab of a similar connector in stacking relationship. At the opposite end of the connector is placed a wire receiving cavity over which is placed a deformable sleeve. A window, intermediate the two ends permits the introduction of the bare portion of an insulation conductor into the second end of the body such that when the second end of the body and deformable sleeve are crimped about the conductor both ends of the connector are free and unimpeded by the presence of the conductor. In a second embodiment of the connector, a tab extension extends beyond the second end and the deformable sleeve of the connector to receive thereon additional like connectors in a stacking relationship.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention The invention is employed in the field of terminating conductors upon the contact pins of a multi-pin connector board such that multiple connections can be placed upon a single contact pin.

Description of the prior art In prior art devices the individual contact pins of a multi-pin connector board could only be employed to receive and terminate a single conductor. It was not possible to stack a plurality of such connectors one atop another, in order to place upon a single contact pin a plurality of conductor terminations. If it was desired to terminate a plurality of conductors to a common electrical point it was necessary to jumper together a plurality of contact pins in order that a plurality of common conductor terminations could be had.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention makes possible the termination of a plurality of electrical conductors to a single contact pin of a multi-pin connector board without the necessity for jumping together a plurality of such contact pins. In a first embodiment of the invention the connector, fabricated in a cylindrical form, has at a first end a flared portion for receipt therein the contact pin of a multi-pin connector board. Over the second end is placed a deformable sleeve such that upon the intrusion of the bare portion of an electrical conductor therein and the subsequent crimping of the connector both the sleeve and the second end of the connector body would be deformed to contain the conductor therein. A window portion is provided, intermediate the first and second ends of the connector body, permits the introduction of the bare portion of an insulated conductor into the second end portion of the body without interfering with either end of 3,550,068 Patented Dec. 22, 1970 the connector body. In a second embodiment an extension tab extends beyond the second end of the connector body and is formed in such a manner that it may receive thereon the first end portion of a further connector body in a manner similar to the installation of the connector body to a contact pin. In this manner a plurality of connectors may be employed in a stacked relationship to a single contact pin. It is thus not necessary to jumper together, either by terminals, or by direct wiring, a plurality of contact pins in order that multiple terminations of electrical conductors may be made. It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an improved form of connector.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide an improved form of connector whereby a plurality of terminations may be made upon a single contact pin of a rnulti-pin connector board.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a connector which facilitates the stacking of similar types of connectors in a stacking relationship such that a single contact of a multi-pin connector board may be employed to terminate a plurality of electrical conductors.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a basic connector format which when modified may provide two distinct types of connectors, one which may be used to build up, in stacked relationship, a plurality of similar connectors and a final one which can be employed as a single termination for an electrical conductor with respect to a contact pin.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide an improved connector having a window intermediate its ends such that the bare portion of an insulated conductor may be introduced within a crimpable portion of the BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the figures:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a first embodiment of a connector constructed in accordance wtih the concepts of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the connector of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view of the connector of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the connector of FIG. 1 in exploded form.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a left most component of the connector of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a side elevation of a second embodiment of a connector constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the connector of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the connector of FIG. 6 in exploded form.

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the left most component of the connector of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 shows the assembly of the connector of FIG. 1 to a contact pin of a multi-pin connector board with a conductor installed therein.

Similar elements are given similar reference characters in each of the respective figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Turning now to FIGS. 1 through 5 there is shown a first embodiment of a connector 20 constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention. Connector 20 is formed of flat stock rolled or otherwise formed to provide a cylindrical body portion 22. A first end 24, thereof, is arranged for the receipt therein of the contact pin of a multi-pin connector board (not shown). The opposite end, or tab 26, of the body portion 22 is formed such that it will have the same general size characteristics of a contact pin to permit the receipt thereon of the portion 24 of similar connectors 20. The end of the portion, or tab 26, is tapered as at 28 to facilitate the insertion of the connector 20 into the portion 24 of the connector 20 to be placed atop it. As a result of the rolling, or forming, of the metal strip to form the connector body 22, a seam 28 will extend through the portions 24 and 26. The seam 28 of the portion 24 will permit expansion of the portion 24 to accommodate varying thicknesses of contact pins. In addition, the entry edges of the portion 24 are flared as at 30 to provide a guide and to facilitate the entrance of a contact pin within the portion 24. A stop 32, as is better seen in FIGS. 2 and 5, is provided to limit the insertion of such contact pin within the connector 20.

Intermediate portions 24 and 26 is an inner sleeve 34, as is better seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, about which is placed a deformable sleeve 36. The window 38 adjacent the deformable sleeve 36 and the inner sleeve 34 permits the insertion of the bared portion of an insulated conductor (as seen in FIG. 10) through the window 38 and thence within the inner sleeve 34 and the deformable sleeve 36. Upon the application of crimping, or deforming, forces to the deformable sleeve 36 the sleeve 36- will be caused to collapse and with it the inner sleeve 34 and thus trapping and providing a good mechanical and electrical contact between the connector 20 and the conductor. Further, due to the manner of entry of the conductor within the connector 20 both ends of the connector 20 are free from the hindering effects of the conductor and both ends are free to function in the manner as described above. The relief slot 40, provided intermediate the inner sleeve 34 and the end, or tab 26, prevents deformation of the portion, or tab 26, upon the crimping of the connector 20.

Turning now to FIGS. 6 through 9 a second embodiment of a connector 50 constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention is shown. Connector 50 is similar in all details to the connector 20 of FIGS. 1 through with the exception that the portion, or tab 26, is not present. The connector 50 is formed with a cylindrical body 52 having a contact pin receiving portion 54. The end of the contact pin receiving portion is flared as at 60. The opposite end terminates in an inner sleeve 64, as is better seen in FIGS. 8 and 9. Both the contact pin receiving portion 54 and the inner sleeve 64 have, extending along their lengths, a butt seam 59 which facilitate in the portion 54 the expansion thereof to accommodate variations in the size of the contact pin and in the inner sleeve 64 permits the inner sleeve to be readily deformed when crimping forces are applied to the deformable sleeve 36. The stop 62, as is visible in FIGS. 7 and 9, limits the insertion of a contact pin within the connector body 52. The window 68 permits the insertion of the bare portion of an insulated conductor within the inner sleeve 64 and the deformable sleeve 36 to prevent interference with either end of the connector 50.

Turning now to FIG. there is shown a connector, such as connector of FIG. 1, assembled to contact pin 70 of a multi-pin connector board 72. Also shown is the coupling of a conductor 74 to the connector 20. In employing the connector 20, the conductor 74 has one end thereof stripped of insulation and inserted through the window 38 into the inner sleeve 34 and the deformable sleeve 36. An appropriate crimping tool is then used to deform the sleeve 36 and the inner sleeve 34 to hold the conductor 74 to the connector 20. The end portion 24 of the connector 20 may then be inserted over the contact pin 70. Additional connectors such as connector 20 may then be applied one atop the other each with its portion 24 being placed atop a corresponding portion 26 of the previous connector 20. If it is desired to terminate the connector stack a connector such as 50 of FIG. 6 may be employed. In a similar fashion the connector 50 of FIG. 6 could be placed directly upon the contact pin if the stacking relationship is not necessary.

While there have been shown and described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes of the form and details of the devices illustrated and in their operation may be made by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A connector for coupling an electrical conductor to a contact pin, or'a similar connector, comprising: a body portion fabricated from flat metal stock formed into a cylinder, the edges of said stock meeting to form a butt seam; said body portion having a first end and a second end; a substantially uniform diameter inner surface intermediate said first and said second ends thereof; said first end of said body proportioned to receive therein a contact pin or a similar connector; said second end of said body proportioned to receive therein the bare portion of an insulated conductor; a sleeve formed of deformable material, positioned over said second end of said body, and in intimate engagement therewith, adapted to deform when subjected to externally applied forces to deform said second end of said body and retain in said body said bare portion of an insulated conductor; a window in said body to permit the introduction of said bare portion of said insulated conductor into said second end of said body whereby said connector body ends are unimpeded by said conductor; and an extension adjacent said second end of said body, wherein at least a portion of said extension is formed into a cylinder with the edges thereof forming a butt seam; said extension being proportioned to fit within said first end of said body of a like connector.

2. A connector, as defined in claim 1, wherein a portion of said extension adjacent said cylinder portion thereof has a lateral slot to prevent deformation of said extension upon the application of deforming forces to said deformable sleeve and said second end of said body.

3. A connector, as defined in claim 1, wherein said extension is tapered to facilitate the receipt thereon of said first body end of a like connector.

4. A connector, as defined in claim 3, further having a stop member intermediate said first and said second ends of said body, extending inwardly of a portion of said inner surface thereof, to limit the insertion of said contact pin or said extension into said connector body.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,780,794 2/ 1957 Cresson 339276T 2,969,521 1/1961 |Scoville 339220 2,977,562 3/1961 Benson 33917 3,323,100 5/1967 Book 339-242 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,062,566 3/ 1967 Great Britain 339-276T MARVIN A. CHAMPION, Primary Examiner J. H. McGLYNN, Assistant Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 339256, 276 

